Hastings doubles apprenticeships as mining picks up

HEAVY equipment company Hastings Deering has doubled its apprenticeship intake amid growing signs of confidence in the mining sector.

Archerfield-based Hastings, which operates the exclusive Caterpillar dealership throughout Queensland, the Northern Territory and Papua New Guinea, will take on 48 apprentices, double the number last year and the biggest intake in four years.

Hastings Deering managing director Dean Mehmet said the company was taking on more apprentices as conditions improved in the mining sector.

About 60 per cent of the company's business comes from mining, with the rest from general construction.

"Mining came down with a thump but it has now picked itself off the floor,” Mr Mehmet said.

"It is not back to crazy levels, but it is back to more normal growth levels.

"Miners which might have delayed maintenance on equipment are now catching up and there is some investment in new equipment.”

Mr Mehmet said most of the "green shoots” were being seen in the metallurgical coal industry with mines opening.

Economists expect a resurgence in coal will deliver a windfall of an extra $1 billion in royalties for the State Government.

"Even though the resources sector is cyclical, continuing with apprenticeships is critical to avoiding a skills shortage in the future,” Mr Mehmet said, adding the company was now looking at a second intake of apprentices this year.

The company is the state's third-largest trainer of apprentices after two government organisations.

The company was also seeking more than 100 tradespeople across Queensland, including 80 in central Queensland.

Mr Mehmet said Hastings received more than 1000 applications in 24 hours of the positions - for auto electricians, boilermakers, diesel fitters, fitter machinists and electrical fitters - being posted. The company received 1800 by the time submissions closed.